Florida Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Program

When an individual who is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction enters treatment, the number one priority is helping the addict address and overcome their substance abuse. For those who struggle with substance abuse, substance dependence or addiction, they will undergo an individualized plan of treatment which includes medical detoxification, individual and group therapy, life and coping skills training and aftercare programs that focus on relapse prevention. Through the recovery plan instituted in drug treatment, the addict will become substance free and get the tools and support needed to achieve and maintain long-term recovery.

While a mandatory piece of the recovery puzzle, helping the addict to stop using drugs and alcohol only constitutes a small part of an addict’s long-term sobriety. It is often said that drug use is a symptom of a deeper mental issue, and unless those mental issues are addressed the addict will continue being trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction. For those who may suffer from those deeper seated issues, they must find drug treatment that has an emphasis on dual diagnosis. If you are seeking more information on dual diagnosis drug treatment or are looking for a reputable drug treatment center that features effective dual diagnosis treatment that is proven to work, call Ocean Breeze Recovery Center today.

What is Dual-Diagnosis Treatment for Addiction?

For those who may not be familiar with dual diagnosis treatment philosophy, a short definition and description may be helpful. Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe people with mental illness who have coexisting issues with drugs and/or alcohol. The relationship between the two is complex and involves social, biological and environmental factors. In a drug rehab setting, the treatment of those with co-occurring substance abuse or and mental illness is more complicated than the treatment of either condition alone. This is unfortunately a common situation due to the fact that many people with mental illness have ongoing substance abuse problems and vice versa.

Prior to the 1990’s, people who were experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder were often treated separately from those who sought help for drug or alcohol abuse. In the event these conditions overlapped, clients were often denied treatment for a mental illness until they got clean and sober. Unfortunately, because substance abuse is often driven by an underlying psychiatric disorder, this meant that many people with a dual diagnosis of addiction and a mental disorder never got the help they needed.

For those who have mental illness, they oftentimes will turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication. While people with diagnosed mental disorders may abuse substances, this phenomenon is more often seen in those people who are undiagnosed and “suffer in silence”. For these people, drugs and alcohol are a convenient way to minimize and internal anguish and suffering they experience. While substances can provide those with mental illnesses short-term relief, drugs and alcohol can worsen underlying mental illnesses over time. Without professional help, the deeper roots that cause people to turn to substances in the first place will never be addressed. Additionally, drugs and alcohol can cause a person without mental illness to experience the onset of symptoms for the first time.

Common Mental Health Diagnoses Found With Substance Abuse Issues

Common dual diagnosis disorders that are found to occur alongside substance dependence or abuse include the following:

Anxiety disorders

Moderate to severe depression

Personality disorders

Mood disorders

Schizophrenia

In many cases, symptoms of the mental health disorder appear first. As they become more and more overwhelming, the patient may attempt to “treat” those symptoms by using different drugs. For example, people who are living with anxiety may try to calm themselves by smoking marijuana. Conversely, someone dealing with an eating disorder may attempt to further their weight loss attempts by abusing stimulant drugs like cocaine or crystal meth. In other cases, the drug addiction comes first and due to chronic drug abuse, mental health issues can develop later due to the fact that drug use alters brain function over time.

How Is Our Florida Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Program Different?

When people who have dual diagnosis issues enter drug treatment, treatment centers that specialize in treating co-occurring disorders will utilize therapy and treatment options that will help target the deeper psychological issues. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) will help those struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues unlearn preconceived notions about their life and the way they have chosen to make decisions. In addition to CBT and other forms of behavioral modification therapy, more holistic based therapies such as mindful meditation, hypnosis, and yoga can help calm the brain and body’s “fight or flight” response. These techniques can help an lower blood pressure, reduce altered breathing and decrease the heart rate.

Do You Want More Information on Our Florida Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

No matter which disorder develops first, both the drug addiction and the mental health disorder should be treated simultaneously at treatment center whose focus is on dual diagnosis. Because the symptoms and effects of one disorder often trigger and drive the other disorder, both issues must be addressed through comprehensive treatment. As one of the pre-eminent drug treatment facilities in Florida, Ocean Breeze Recovery Center is a leading provider for alcohol and drug treatment that features effective treatment programming that focuses on the complex nature of dual diagnosis. The experienced, friendly and caring staff at Ocean Breeze Recovery Center can tailor an individualized drug treatment plan that best fits the unique needs of each individual.

With our unique holistic-based treatment approach, you will be able to address all facets of your drug addiction and get the tools and support you need to heal in mind, body and spirit. If you have questions regarding your insurance, our experience member representatives will evaluate your current insurance coverage, and in the event you are underinsured or uninsured we can find alternate ways for you to get the treatment you need while providing you financial peace of mind. For more information, please contact Ocean Breeze Recovery Center toll-free at 1-855-960-5341,

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I am really excited about what happened for me at OBR. I have been involved in another residential rehab program in the past and I feel the groups and classes at Ocean Breeze were far superior. I got a lot of information and guidance from everyone there. Participation in AA was great and I realize now that I must continue to be involved in a 12-step program where I can be held accountable and be around other recovering alcoholics. Thank you Ocean Breeze!